Battle over SH45SW features argument between Biscoe and Bunch

The never-ending case of SH 45 Southwest has dogged County Judge Sam Biscoe for the past 25 years of his public life. But at Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting – with his December retirement date in sight – the normally reserved…

Development • By Mark Richardson • Mar 12, 2014

Water board travels Texas selling Proposition 6 funding plan

Despite some late year showers in 2013, at least one of which caused devastating flooding in parts of Travis and Hays counties, the downpours did little to break the persistent drought in many parts of Texas, putting communities and economic…

Local Government • By Andy Sevilla • Mar 11, 2014

Critics say city’s new Urban Forest Plan lacks substance

Last week, the Austin City Council unanimously approved a resolution adopting the Austin Urban Forest Plan: A Master Plan for Public Properties. However, critics say it falls short of a comprehensive plan, addressing only public property, which accounts for just…

Environment • By Kara Nuzback • Mar 11, 2014

Board of Adjustment rules staff incorrectly determined address

Common sense prevailed at a specially called meeting of the Board of Adjustment Tuesday night.   The board met to interpret whether staff had acted in error in issuing a building permit at 3110 Grandview Street, which is located in…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 10, 2014

Panel debates future steps for Land Development Code rewrite

Some may think it’s moving too fast, and some may think it’s moving too slow, but most everyone agrees that the revision of the city’s Land Development Code continues to move toward what one stakeholder calls “difficult, necessary conversations.”  …

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 10, 2014

Spurred by retailers, lawmaker seeks Attorney General opinion on bag ban

Just barely past the one-year-anniversary of Austin’s law banning single-use plastic bags, Texas business interests are taking another shot at it, this time seeking an Attorney General’s opinion on whether such bans violate state statutes.   The opinion was requested…

Environment • By Mark Richardson • Mar 7, 2014

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Struggle coming over which agency should lead on prescribed burns

After hearing that wildfire prevention efforts led to the prescribed burn of approximately 200 acres in 2013, several Public Safety Commissioners said this week that they worried that any burn not led by the Austin Fire Department poses a safety…

Environment • By Gene Davis • Mar 7, 2014

Council backs creation of new power generation task force

City Council members Thursday approved the creation of a new Austin generation planning task force. The group, as yet unnamed, will “examine and make recommendations regarding the 2014 update to Austin Energy’s current Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan.” Council…

Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Mar 7, 2014

Council to delay discussion of expanding city’s over-65 tax break

Austin City Council members are set to delay discussion of expanding the tax break for city residents who are 65 and over until March 20. According to Council Member Bill Spelman, the delay comes at the request of Mayor Lee…

Development • By Michael Kanin • Mar 6, 2014

Council continues to move toward mid-year budget adjustment

City Manager Marc Ott and his budget staff expressed concern about the notion of another mid-year budget adjustment Tuesday even as City Council members moved forward with a process to consider such amendments.   As part of their regular Tuesday…

Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Mar 6, 2014

Austin wins nearly $12 million in federal funds for Onion Creek

The City of Austin will receive $11.8 million in federal funding for the Onion Creek – Lower Colorado River Basin Project now that Congress finally loosened its purse strings and approved spending the money.   The funds – which will…

Environment • By Mark Richardson • Mar 6, 2014

Ortega Carter holds off challenge to keep County Treasurer post

Incumbent Dolores Ortega Carter fought off a well-funded challenger in the Democratic Primary Tuesday to win the nomination for Travis County Treasurer. There is no Republican candidate but she will face Libertarian candidate Mike Burris on the November ballot.  …

Elections • By Mark Richardson • Mar 5, 2014

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